Easy...get yourself a pro-ject the classic sb superpack with the sumiko blue point no 2 mc cartridge. Beautiful to look at, and unbelievably musical. $1499 complete. Even comes with leather matt, low capacitance upgraded interconnects, and the beautiful diamond cut record clamp. Plus the pro-ject speed box built in! I do not think you will find anything better for $1499. Available in real walnut, rose nut, or eucalyptus wood and book matched to boot. 9 inch carbon fiber/aluminum tonearm, damped counter weight, damped 5 lb machined aluminum platter, and suspended sub chassis via elastomer balls. Alternatively, you could wait till July for when the brand new upgraded the classic evo by project comes out! Upgrades to tonearm, power supply, and the sub platter assembly (changed from phenolic to aluminum for added rotational mass and speed stability) price $1599 in usa. Go and read Fremer’s review of the sb superpack, as well as the CNET review by the audiophiliac dude. Positive feed back also reviewed the table, and what hifi gave the regular classic 4 out of 5 stars and loved it. Despite all the reviews, what matters of course is how it sounds to you. As I mentioned, based on your budget, you will have a tough time beating this table. The only other table in that price range of $1400 would be the Music Hall mmf-7.3 with the dual plinth and ortofon bronze mc cartridge @ $1599. I own the original mmf7 with goldring eroica. It is a fantastic table, very quiet. Both tables suggested offer adjustable Vta and azimuth, as they are essentially the same arm.
I may be selling the music hall mmf7 here on audiogon. I own quite a few turntables....6 in all, so I need to sell one or two. It’s in great well cared for condition. This one was bought new by me when it first hit the shelves years ago.
